Picnic Take Aways

Are you planning a day out with friends or family? A successful picnic only needs three things: beautiful weather, a green location that is easy to reach, and suitable provisions for taking along. Then you can really enjoy the good company, wonderful scenery and the lovely things you have brought to eat.

Delicious provisions for an outdoor picnic

With good preparation,a picnic becomes a successful day out. It's best to go shopping a day or two in advance, then all you need to do on the morning is to pack everything up. Rice, pasta or salads can be prepared the day before, as can cakes. Let your children get involved in the preparations. Little ones enjoy chopping things and packing them up.

It all comes down to the packaging

So that the goodies survive the journey intact, pack the food in plastic boxes with tight-fitting lids. These don't weigh very much and nothing can leak out or be crushed. In addition, a cool-bag with frozen cooling packs will protect the food from the heat and from spoiling. If you don't have a cool-bag to hand, it is best to limit yourself to food that doesn't go off as quickly. This could include, for instance, simple sandwiches and firm varieties of fruit and vegetables.

It's important to take drinks along as well of course: pour hot drinks such as coffee and tea into Thermos flasks. Other drinks, such as iced teas and fruit juices pritzers, should be transported in special drinks bottles, Thermos flasks, or empty plastic bottles with secure lids. Consider taking non-breakable cutlery and crockery, as well as napkins, to ensure it's easy to eat at the picnic spot.

Vegetable, pasta or rice salads. It is important to always put the salads in a cool-bag, especially if they have been made using mayonnaise. If you prefer green salads, take the dressing along in a non-breakable container with a lid that screws tightly shut. Dress the salad just before eating.

Here are some recipe ideas for colourful salads and sandwiches

VALENTINE SALAD

Preparation Time :20 Mins

Cooking Time :Nil

Serves : 4

Ingredients

Tomatoes

2 (150g),chopped

Kabuli Chana, boiled

1 cup (125g)

Spring Onion

2 (50g), chopped

Mozzarella cheese, diced into ¼" cubes

½ cup (50g)

Black olives, sliced into rounds

½ cup (50g)

Lettuce

4-5 leaves (30g), shredded

Pepper powder

1 tsp

Oregano

1 tsp

Flax seeds, roasted

2 tbsp (10g)

For Dressing.

Garlic

2 cloves, minced

Onion

½ (25g) minced

Sugar, powdered

1 tsp

Balsamic vinegar

½ cup

Mustard powder

1 tsp

Oregano

½ tsp

Pepper powder

½ tsp

Olive oil

1/3 cup(50g)

Method

1.

Combine all the ingredients for salad. Place in a serving bowl, cover with cling film and keep chilled.

2.

For dressing - Combine all the ingredients except the olive oil in a blender and blend for 30 seconds. Continue to blend, pouring olive oil slowly until the dressing is thick and creamy. Chill in a container until serving time.

3.

At the time of serving, pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. Mix well and serve immediately.

HOT & SOUR PASTA SALAD

Preparation Time :15 Mins

Cooking Time :25 Mins

Serves : 8

Ingredients

Pasta – Penne

2 cups (100g)

Cucumber

1 (100g)

Capsicum

1 (100g) chopped into 1” long

Carrots

2 (100g), thin strips

MAGGI HOT AND SWEET
TOMATO Chilli sauce

1/3 cup (50g)

Oil

1 tsp

Garlic

4 cloves, finely chopped

Vinegar

¼ cup

Salt

To taste

Method

1.

Cook pasta in excess water and 1 tsp. salt for 10 mins. Drain and run cold tap water through it. Sprinkle 1 tsp. oil on pasta, mix well and keep aside.